Pharisees Are Easily Offended
Pharisees are easily offended by correction, and seeking to be free from getting offended is crucial for spiritual growth and deliverance from Phariseeism.
Zac Poonen preaches on the danger of being easily offended, drawing from the incident where the Pharisees were offended by Jesus' correction. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming the tendency to take offense, as it can lead to spiritual downfall and separation from God's family. Just as the Pharisees faced the risk of eternal loss due to offense, believers are warned against the same fate if they allow offense to drive them away from correction and repentance.
Text
"The disciples came and said to Jesus, 'Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?' Jesus said, 'Leave them alone.'" (Matthew 15:12-14).
When Jesus corrected the Pharisees for teaching people to dishonour their parents (as we saw above), they were offended. Pharisees are easily offended by any word of rebuke or correction that the Lord may give through an elder brother. One of the kindergarten lessons in the Christian life is to get victory over "getting offended". There is no hope that you will ever be delivered from Phariseeism if you don't seek to be totally free from getting offended when corrected.
I know people who were once in our church who were so offended by some correction they received, that they left the church altogether. They are wandering in the wilderness today and there is every possibility that they will be lost eternally. I can assure you that like the Pharisees, you could be on your way to hell too, if you have been offended by some correction you received.
Jesus told His disciples to "leave them alone". We are not to go after offended Pharisees trying to bring them back to the church. We must obey the Lord and leave them alone. If they repent, then they can come back to the Lord and to the church. Not otherwise.
Sermon Outline
- Pharisees Are Easily Offended
- Getting Victory Over Getting Offended
- What to Do with Offended Pharisees
- Definition of Phariseeism
- Consequences of Getting Offended
- Leaving Them Alone
- Waiting for Repentance
Key Quotes
“Pharisees are easily offended by any word of rebuke or correction that the Lord may give through an elder brother.” — Zac Poonen
“There is no hope that you will ever be delivered from Phariseeism if you don't seek to be totally free from getting offended when corrected.” — Zac Poonen
“We are not to go after offended Pharisees trying to bring them back to the church. We must obey the Lord and leave them alone.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Seek to get victory over getting offended by acknowledging your sin and seeking to be free from it.
- Respond to correction with humility and a willingness to learn.
- Pray for the repentance and restoration of those who have left the church due to being offended.